Mazda launched new Flairwagon in Japan

Mazda has added a new micro-mini tall wagon to its lineup in Japan with the release of the Mazda Flairwagon. It’s essentially a rebadged Suzuki Palette, and the vehicle is also rebadged by Nissan as the Roox.

The cabin of the Flairwagon measures 1,365 mm (53.74 in) high and 2,070 mm (81.49 in) long, with the luggage compartment just 535 mm (21.06 in) off the ground for easy loading and unloading. Mazda says the split-dive down rear seat can be folded almost flat to create enough room for a 27-inch bike. There’s also a passenger side under-seat box and an upper glove box that uses air from the air conditioner to function as a cold storage space.

Three variations of the Flairwagon are offered; LS, XS and TS, with all models available in either front- or all-wheel drive. All are powered by a 660cc DOHC engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), however the TS scores a turbo as well. Fuel economy ranges from 4.8 to 5.8 litres per 100km based on the Japanese JC08 mode test cycle.

Design cues on the Flairwagon include a snub-nosed front end and a boxy silhouette accented by cat's-eye headlights. Typical of the class, the four-passenger vehicle also features minivan-like touches, including sliding doors and a low step-in height. Amenities include a glovebox that can be used for cold storage.

As for fuel economy, it ranges from 17.2 km/l for the TS Turbo right up to 22.2 km/l for the IS Limited VVT. Prices in Japan range from 1,212,750 Yen to 1,499,400 Yen (US$15,300-18,900).





Press Release

Mazda Launches All-New 'Mazda Flairwagon' in Japan

- Introduction of a tall-wagon rounds out Mazda's micro-mini lineup -

HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda Motor Corporation today announced the addition of a new micro-mini tall wagon to its lineup. The Mazda Flairwagon goes on sale today at all Mazda, Mazda Anfini and Mazda Autozam dealerships throughout Japan.

The Flairwagon can comfortably accommodate four adults. It provides ample headroom, and the cabin length ensures that even the rear seats offer plenty of room. Sliding rear doors on both sides and a low rear step ensure passengers can easily get in and out of the car even in tight parking situations. Features of the Flairwagon have been designed for comfort and ease of use. Rear seats can be folded away with ease and an upper glove box located in front of the passenger seat can be used for cold storage.

The special edition IS Limited Flairwagon, introduced at the same time, comes equipped with an idling stop system and achieves an outstanding fuel economy of 22.2 km/L (JC08 mode test cycle).

Main features of the all-new Mazda Flairwagon

Spacious and user-friendly design and packaging

• A stylish design with a high and long roof that conveys comfort and stability.

• A high roof and long wheelbase allow a spacious 1,365mm high and 2,070 mm long cabin.

• A front bench seat and dash-mounted shifter make it easy to move between the driver's seat and the passenger's seat.

• Getting in and out is easy thanks to a large rear door opening (580mm x 1,230mm) and low step (340mm - FWD model).

• The luggage compartment is only 535mm above the ground (FWD) allowing for easy loading.

• Split dive-down rear seat can be folded almost flat to create a deep cargo area capable of accommodating a standard 27-inch bicycle*1.

• Five exterior body colors are available; Aqua Veil Blue Pearl Metallic, Bloom Pink Metallic, Silky Silver Metallic, Pearl White and Bluish Black Pearl 3.

Convenient features and equipment

• The Easy Closure function employed in both sliding rear doors automatically closes the door from a half-closed position.

• Power sliding rear door on the left side can be opened and closed by remote control (All models except LS model grade).

• Advanced keyless entry and keyless push button start system allows the driver to start and stop the engine with the press of a button.

• Plenty of convenient storage space including the passenger side under-seat box and an upper glove box which functions as a cold storage space using air from the air conditioner.

Comfortable ride and outstanding environmental performance

• Achieves both powerful driving and excellent fuel economy thanks to the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with auxiliary gear box.

• Idling stop system with Hill Hold Control function contributes to outstanding fuel economy. (IS Limited special edition)

• All Flairwagon models qualify as super ultra-low emission vehicles (SU-LEV) with exhaust emissions at least 75 percent lower than Japan's 2005 standards.

Leipzig Premiere: Mazda MX-5 Senshu

Mazda unveiled a new car Special Edition MX-5 Senshu for the German market. This new sedan special edition car from Mazda company released at Leipzig Show and will production only 200 unit in this world.

Mazda MX-5 Senshu consists of three exterior colors available, black, red and white, all combined with the top of a black cloth, 17-inch alloy wheels shod in black tire size, 205/45 R17 rear diffuser black matte, twin chrome pipes tail, a black surround for racing stripes and a unique front grille on the car profile.

The Senshu is based on the soft-top Sports Line specification with the 158hp (160PS) 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine linked exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. The changes amount to it producing 241 horsepower and 202 lb-ft of torque, 80 hp and 70 lb-ft of torque more than the standard version.

Interior the Mazda MX-5 Senshu special edition comes with sports aluminum pedals, two-tone black and grey leather seats and door panels with red stitching, aluminum trim décor and red surrounds for the air vents. Other features for the Mazda MX-5 Senshu gets standard on the Sports Line model include a lowered Bilstein sports suspension, xenon headlights, automatic climate control, cruise control and a Bose audio system.

The Senshu will be manufactured in limited run, only 200 examples will be produced with a price tag of €29,190 for each special edition version.

Mazda6 Venture Edition for the UK

The Japanese carmaker has announced plans to offer the Mazda6 Venture Edition in the UK. The Venture Edition is based on Mazda6 TS2 saloon and estate models, but benefits from additional equipment including a Sanyo sat-nav device, Bluetooth, half leather upholstery and heated front seats. It is priced between £340-to-£480 more than the TS2 donor vehicle.

Outside, Venture Edition models are distinguished by their 17” gunmetal alloy wheels, sports front grille, privacy glass and colours including Brilliant Black and optional Crystal White Pearlescent, Black Mica or Stormy Blue Mica, as well as a unique colour for this version - Dolphin Grey Mica. Just 257 of the Mazda6 Venture Editions are available.

Under the hood, two engines are available. The 2.0-liter MZR petrol engine with 153 hp returns 40.9 mpg and 159 g/km of CO2, while the 2.2-liter MZR-CD diesel engine with 161 hp returns 53.5 mpg and 140 g/km of CO2.

Production will be limited to 257 units and pricing starts at £21,000 (OTR).




Press Release

NEW MAZDA6 ‘VENTURE EDITION' MODELS ON SALE NOW

• Mazda6 Venture Edition boasts premium style and high-tech equipment from £21,000 (OTR)

• Upgraded equipment with Sanyo TomTom® navigation and integrated Bluetooth®

• Choice of petrol or diesel engines and hatchback or estate body styles

• Low-rate 0% and 5.9% APR finance available until 31 July 2012

To offer British motorists even greater style and value this spring, Mazda is introducing three special versions of its popular Mazda6 - the ‘Venture Edition' models, priced from £21,000 (OTR).

The new Mazda6 Venture Edition trio (petrol and diesel five-door and diesel estate models), is based on Mazda6 TS2 models, and features several significant items of additional equipment, with Sanyo TomTom® navigation, integrated Bluetooth®, half-leather seat trim and heated front seats.

Outside, Venture Edition models are distinguished by their 17-inch gunmetal alloy wheels, Sports front grille, Privacy glass and a special range of colours - including Brilliant Black and optional Crystal White Pearlescent, Black Mica or Stormy Blue Mica, as well as a unique colour for this version - Dolphin Grey Mica.

"The arrival of the new Mazda6 Venture Edition models, with their unique combination of advanced technology, sports styling, a premium interior and great added value, will attract new consumers to our showrooms," comments Peter Allibon, Sales Director, Mazda UK.

"In its latest form, Mazda6 has aggressive front styling and delivers a dynamicand engaging drive, with strongly performing petrol and diesel engines, plus finely tuned suspension and steering, and a top quality spacious and practical interior.

"Mazda6 also boasts competitive fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, and all these attributes are underpinned by reduced costs and Mazda's outstanding Japanese-style build quality and reliability," adds Allibon.

The Mazda6 Venture Edition equipment upgrades and additions cost only £340-to-£480 above the TS2 donor-cars (depending on model), representing remarkable value as well as offering a true element of exclusivity with just 257 examples of the Mazda6 Venture Editions available.

Specifications across the Mazda range are extremely generous and the Mazda6 Venture Edition models benefit from the standard equipment level of the TS2 which includes: front, side and curtain airbags, rear vehicle monitoring system, front rain-sensing wipers, leather steering wheel with audio controls, six disc CD changer with Auxiliary jack and six speakers, front and rear parking sensors and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm.

A key customer benefit of Mazda6 is the broad choice of responsive and powerful engines. The petrol hatchback Venture Edition is powered by a 2.0-litre (155ps) MZR engine which accelerates this model to 62mph in 10.3 seconds and returns 40.9mpg (combined) with a 159g/km CO2 rating.

Venture Edition buyers who prefer diesel can enjoy the 2.2-litre (163ps) MZR-CD engine that delivers great performance, accelerating to 62mph in 9.2 seconds, and returns 53.3mpg (combined cycle) with low emissions of 140 to 141g/km (hatchback/estate). These two models qualify for Road Fund Licence bands E and F, while reduced Benefit In Kind costs offer significant savings.

The 4.78-metre long Mazda6 estate is an immensely capable load carrier, with Mazda's unique Karakuri 60/40 split, easy-fold seat mechanism this model holds a cargo volume of 1,751-litres when loaded to the roof with the rear seats folded flat.

For full details of the latest promotions and finance offers visit www.mazda.co.uk/showroom/offers

Mazda Black Tuned Roadster

Mazda has released the Special Edition Black Tuned Roadster for the Japanese market.

Based on the Roadster RHT (retractable hard top), the BLACK TUNED edition comes in either RS trim (6MT) or VS trim (6AT) and comes with a black roof, black wheels, black grille, black rear roll bar garnish, black leather seats, black door trim, fog lights and Bose stereo.

Three external body colors are available, including two exclusive colors – Spirited Green Metallic and Velocity Red Mica – and the popular Crystal White Pearl Mica.

The cars comes with a 2.0 liter DOHC engine and a six-speed manual as standard. A six-speed automatic is optional.

The special edition of the MX-5 in Japan also comes with the Brilliant Black of the folding hard-top roof and side mirrors, unique interior contrasting black leather with sand-colored stitching and it’s sitting on Gun Metallic 17 inch alloy wheels.





Press Release

Mazda Releases Special Edition 'BLACK TUNED Roadster' in Japan

- Stylish model with Power Retractable Hard Top, alloy wheels and other parts in exclusive colors -

HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda Motor Corporation has released the Mazda Roadster BLACK TUNED, a special edition version of its iconic lightweight, two-seat, open-top sports car for the Japanese market. The special edition Roadster (known overseas as the Mazda MX-5) goes on sale today at all Mazda and Mazda Anfini dealerships nationwide.

The Mazda Roadster originally launched in 1989 and is currently sold in approximately 60 countries around the world. Total production stands at over 900,000 units and the Roadster is officially certified by Guinness World Records as the world's "Best selling two-seater sports car".

The special edition BLACK TUNED Roadster is based on the premium 'RS RHT' and 'VS RHT' model grades that feature Mazda's groundbreaking power retractable hard top (RHT). The BLACK TUNED theme is reflected in stylish special features including a Brilliant Black roof and door mirrors, and Gun Metallic 17-inch alloy wheels. Interior quality is also enhanced, with the seats and steering wheel covered in black leather with sand-colored stitching.

Three external body colors are available, including two exclusive colors - Spirited Green Metallic and Velocity Red Mica - and the popular Crystal White Pearl Mica.

Main features of the special edition Mazda Roadster BLACK TUNED

Base models
Mazda Roadster RS RHT with 2.0-liter DOHC engine and six-speed manual transmission, and Mazda Roadster VS RHT with 2.0-liter DOHC engine and six-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission.
Special equipment

* Power Retractable Hard Top (Brilliant Black)
* 17-inch alloy wheels (Gun Metallic)
* Front grille garnish (Brilliant Black)
* Door mirrors (Brilliant Black)
* Rear roll bar garnish (Brilliant Black)
* Black leather seats (with sand-colored stitching)
* Black door trim (with sand-colored stitching)
* Decoration panel (piano black)
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel (with sand-colored stitching and piano black switch bezels)
* Leather-wrapped parking brake lever (with sand-colored stitching)
* Front fog lights (clear) and fog light bezels (black)
* Outer door handles (body-colored)
* Bose® sound system (AUDIOPILOT^TM2) and seven speakers (no head unit)
* Leather-wrapped shift knob (with chrome ring) *1
* Soft pads on the side door trim arm rests (synthetic leather) *2
* Soft pad on the center console lid (synthetic leather) *2
* Seat heaters (with five temperature settings) *2
* Front suspension tower bar (built into the cowl) *3

Factory-installed option
Six-disc CD changer with AM/FM radio/MP3/WMA*4 player and AUX jack
Exterior body colors
There is a choice of three exterior body colors: Spirited Green Metallic (exclusive), Velocity Red Mica (exclusive) and Crystal Pearl White Mica (special body color).

Mazda 2 and MX-5 Black Edition

Japanese car manufacturer Mazda has released Black Editions of the MX-5 and 2 models, inspired by the success of the MX-5 GT race car.

The MX-5 Sport Black features a black folding metal roof and is available in green, pearl white or red mica. It comes with 17-inch gunmetal alloy wheels, black leather, piano black trim details and ‘Black Limited Edition’ badging, as well as a numbered interior plaque.

Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 160 PS (118 kW / 158 hp). It enables the car to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 7.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 136 mph (219 km/h).

The model also comes with black leather interior with contrasting ‘sand’ color stitching, Piano Black steering wheel and deco panel, and unique ‘Black Limited Edition’ exterior badging, uniquely numbered interior plaque and Limited
Click to enlarge [Mazda MX-5 Sport Black]
Mazda MX-5 Sport Black
Edition floor mats.

Only 500 units of the MX-5 Black Limited Edition will be manufactured and customers will have to spend 22.995 pounds before they can get their hands on one. On the other hand, 618 units of the Mazda 2 Black Edition will be available, with a 12.815 pounds price.




Press Release

Mazda Press Release: Mazda unleashes track-inspired 'Black Limited Edition' MX-5 and Mazda2

• Mazda MX-5 Sport Black inspired by this year's highly successful MX-5 GT race car
• Mazda2 Black introduces a black vinyl roof, privacy glass and matt black alloy wheels
• Only 500 and 618, respectively of these Limited Edition Mazdas available for the UK market

Inspired by the highly successful 275bhp Mazda MX-5 GT race car competing in the 2011 Britcar Production GTN Championship, Mazda has introduced two new 'Black Limited Edition' models - a Mazda MX-5 Sport Black and a Mazda2 Black - bringing a darker edge to Mazda's model range.

The success of the 850kg MX-5 GT race car is that is retains the same characteristics that make the road-going Mazda MX-5 a great handling, nimble and fun-to-drive roadster. In its first year of racing the MX-5 GT has achieved two podiums and is currently third in class. The MX-5 GT race car continues to challenge convention, taking on the more powerful established race cars from Lotus, BMW and Ferrari.

The success of this year's MX-5 race programme and the popularity of MX-5 GT has lead to the track-inspired 'Black Limited Edition' Mazda MX-5 and Mazda2. Available from mid-July, the Mazda MX-5 Sport Black is distinguished by unique paint finishes and an enhanced specification, offering more for a lower price than the car it's based on. Externally the car is highlighted by a Brilliant Black powered retractable hard-top, this is in contrast with the choice of bodywork colours - Spirited Green metallic, Crystal White Pearlescent and Velocity Red mica - but compliments the dark 'gun metal' 17-inch alloy wheels.

The model also comes with black leather interior with contrasting 'sand' colour stitching, Piano Black steering wheel and deco panel, and unique 'Black Limited Edition' exterior badging, uniquely numbered interior plaque and Limited Edition floor mats.

The MX-5 Sport Black incorporates the generous equipment specification of the Sport Tech model, including climate control air-conditioning, a premium Bose® audio system, an integrated hands-free Bluetooth® system, cruise control and front fog lights. Owners will also benefit from the world's fastest folding powered retractable roof, which goes up or down in 12 seconds.

Only 500 examples of the Mazda MX-5 Sport Black will be produced, each costing £22,995 (OTR), just £360 more than the 160ps, 2.0-litre, six-speed transmission Sport Tech model on which it is based.

"Special Edition models of the Mazda MX-5 have always been eagerly received by UK consumers, and the new Sport Black model takes inspiration from the MX-5 GT race car that embodies Mazda's Defy Convention brand strategy," comments Peter Allibon, Sales Director, Mazda Motors UK. "Both the race car and road-going sportscar remain true to their roots, those of driving entertainment, great handling and fun to drive. The Sport Black model delivers a distinctive and sharper edge to our long-running star performer and as in the Britcar Production GTN Championship, it remains unrivalled as a rewarding sportscar."

Five-door Mazda2 with attitude

Following the MX-5 Sport Black theme, the new Limited Edition Mazda2 Black five-door is also available in Spirited Green metallic, Crystal White Pearlescent and True Red. Based on the 84ps, 1.3-litre Tamura model, the Mazda2 Black adds a black vinyl roof, matt black 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, privacy glass and a rear bumper sports trim.

Inside, there is the Sports interior with climate control air-conditioning, a Parrot Bluetooth® hands-free system, electric rear windows, plus unique 'Black Edition' exterior badging, uniquely numbered interior plaque and Limited Edition floor mats.

Inspired again by Mazda's convention-defying race car, just 618 examples of the Mazda2 Black will be produced, with prices starting at £12,395 (OTR) for the True Red version and £12,815 for the other metallic and pearlescent colours.

The next Britcar race takes place at the Snetterton race circuit from 13-14 August 2011.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

Mazda MX-5 Sport Black
Additional equipment above MX-5 Sport Tech Roadster Coupe

Unique dark Gun Metal 17-inch alloy wheels
Three unique exterior colours
Brilliant Black painted powered retractable hardtop
Black door mirrors
Black fashion bars
Alloy pedal set
Unique 'sand' colour stitching on Black leather seats, steering wheel and handbrake
Piano Black finish to steering wheel and deco panel
Unique, numbered plaque and 'Black Edition' branded floor mats

Mazda2 Black
Additional equipment above Mazda2 Tamura

Unique matt Black 16-inch alloy wheels
Black vinyl roof
Dark rear privacy glass
Rear sports bumper
Front fog lights
Climate-control air-conditioning
Parrot Bluetooth® system
Electric rear windows
Black sports interior trim with red piping
Unique, numbered dashboard plaque and 'Black Edition' branded floor mats

2011 Mazda MX-5 Karai

The new Mazda MX-5 Karai is based on the 2011 MX-5 Roadster coupe that comes with a retractable hardtop. It features a distinctive Metal Green Metallic paint job with contrasting glossy black finish on the surrounding parts. In addition, it comes with a set of dark 17-inch alloy wheels to compliment the black contrast theme.

Under the bonnet, power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine able to produce 160 horsepower while a new exhaust and a revised suspension system are available at an extra cost. The new Mazda MX-5 Karai that is limited at 165 units will be available for order starting next month, as mentioned, only in Germany. According to the Japanese manufacturer, buying the new MX-5 Karai special edition will bring you a Sinn watch matching the car’s colors for no extra cost.

On the inside, the MX-5 Karai features a pair of Recaro sport seats trimmed in black leather and Alcantara with white stitching, aluminum pedals, leather steering wheel with white stitching while Mazda says all the interior trim pieces that are usually finished in silver are now painted in a glossy black color.

Mazda plans to release 165 copies of Karai, designed specifically for the German market. Prices start at EUR 30 000 (43 500 $). Car sales will start in August this year. All buyers will receive a free branded watches Sinn dials with green.



 

Mazda BT-50 Freestyle Cab to debut in Melbourne

Mazda has the world premiere of the new Mazda BT-50 Freestyle Cab will be held at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne announced.

One of the unique pickup that is, both doors can be opened in the opposite direction and and do not use the pillar B. So that, 2012 Mazda BT-50 Freestyle it could open the door wide up to 1408 millimeters (mm). Not only that, blessing the wide-open door without a hitch and B pillar, the back passenger comfort is also increased.

The new model promises to offer improved comfort levels for rear-seat passengers, mainly thanks to longer seats (by 50mm) which give greater thigh support, and higher seat-backs (by 128mm).

No mention is made of the powertrains for the Freestyle Cab, but engine options should be the new 197 hp and 470 Nm MZ-CD 3.2 litre turbodiesel engine, with either six-speed auto or manual transmissions, and the MZ-CD 2.2 litre diesel unit, offering 148 hp and 375 Nm, the same mills the dual-cab will wear for Australia.

Press Release

All-new Mazda BT-50 Freestyle Cab To Make Its Global Debut At Aims

Mazda has confirmed that the Freestyle Cab version of its All-New BT-50 utility will make its global debut at the upcoming Australian International Motor Show to be held in Melbourne on 1 - 10 July.

Utilising the revolutionary Freestyle door configuration first seen on the RX-8, the BT-50 Freestyle Cab offers a unique combination of seating for four, an exceptionally wide pillar-less door opening, and a large carrying capacity.

On each side of the cabin, a front-hinged door and a rear access panel combine to provide a 1,408mm-wide opening that makes for easy entry to and exit from either the front or rear seats.

Rear-seat comfort has been taken to levels never seen before in the Freestyle Cab. Cushions have been lengthened by 50mm for better thigh support and more stable fitment of child seats while the seatback height has been increased by 128mm.

The rear seat cushions can be removed and with the rear access panels opening to an angle of nearly 90 degrees, the option of loading and storing cargo into the rear seating area of the cab has never been easier.

A further advantage of the All-New BT-50 Freestyle Cab is its capacious carrying capacity. The cargo tub has increased in width, length and height resulting in an overall cargo volume of 1,453 litres. This is an increase of 266 litres over the equivalent current model.

Mazda Australia managing director, Doug Dickson, points to the significance of this global unveiling. "Just as we were delighted to be given the privilege of hosting the global debut of the All-New BT-50 Dual Cab in Sydney last year, we are equally delighted to be hosting the global debut of the Freestyle Cab in Melbourne this year. With Australia expected to be the largest market for the All-New BT-50 it's no coincidence that we've been asked to host not one but two global unveilings of this important new model. It's only appropriate that the Australian public see it first."

The All-New Mazda BT-50 will go on sale later this year.

2011 Mazda MX-5 GT Race Car

This is the new Mazda MX-5 GT, the fastest, lightest Mazda-produced MX-5 ever. Unfortunately, it's also the company's new entry for this year's Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship, so you won't be seeing it on the road anytime soon.

Designed to compete in this year’s Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship, the standard MX-5 has been completely reworked to FIA specifications. It features a modified version of Mazda’s 2.0-litre in-line four, developing 275bhp - up 117bhp on the road going version - and mated to a six-speed sequential paddle shift ’box.

The car is also fitted with FIA-spec gear such as roll cage, racing seats with harness, external electric cut-off and fire extinguisher, competition alloy wheels and steering wheel, and safety latches for the bonnet and boot lid.

Under the bonnet is seriously tuned and tweaked 2.0-litre engine. Rather than 158bhp the four-cylinder engine now produces 275bhp. It also sits lower in the racer, and drives the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox.

The Mazda MX-5 GT will compete in its first race at the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship three-hour endurance race at Silverstone, scheduled to start at 3:00pm on March 26.




Press Release

MAZDA MX-5 GT BREAKS COVER

• Mazda MX-5 GT entry into Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship 2011
• Lightweight Mazda MX-5 GT race car to challenge conventional thinking
• Mazda MX-5 GT remains true to its roots but with more power and performance

Mazda is set to challenge Aston Martin, Porsche, Lotus, and BMW on the race track with its lightweight Mazda MX-5 GT entry in the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship 2011.

Weighing in at just 850kg, the Mazda MX-5 GT race car will accelerate from 0-to-60mph in just three seconds and hit a top speed of 160mph. The build of the car has been an engineering challenge to get the weight as low as possible using Mazda's gram strategy as the inspiration. Jota Sport examined every nut and bolt to reduce component weight and then match the power to the weight to give the lightest and most powerful MX-5 ever built.

An important aspect of the build was to ensure the Mazda MX-5 still remains true to its roots: great handling, huge fun-to-drive and the ability to challenge bigger more powerful competition, but at an affordable cost. The Mazda GT car ticks all those boxes and is now set to demonstrate its challenger spirit on the track.

Jota Sport, the race engineering team that will run the cars in the 2011 series, took 400 hours to build the shell to a specification that ensured it was 17 times stronger than required by the FIA. During the development they faced a number of engineering challenges such as suspension adjustments, integrating the six speed sequential gearbox, and lowering the engine. Weight saving strategies such as, the removal of interior components, reducing component weight and dipping the shell in acid lost 15kg from the MX-5 race car.

The completed MX-5 GT features a modified Mazda engine to produce 275bhp, a six speed sequential paddle shift gearbox, carbon doors and Polycarbonate windows. On the exterior, the Mazda MX-5 GT boasts a Spirited Green metallic body colour - a first on the MX-5 for Mazda UK - complimented by Jota Sport corporate coloured liveries in orange and grey.

Mazda is renowned for challenging conventions so the motivation to develop a MX-5 GT car comes naturally. It also comes at a time when Mazda has recently celebrated a number of milestones for MX-5 including its 21st anniversary and producing 900,000 MX-5 units globally since its introduction in 1989, with over 10 percent of global MX-5 sales from Britain. Meanwhile, the Mazda MX-5 continues to hold the Guinness World Record as the world's best?selling roadster - testament to its continued popularity with British open top sports car fans.

The Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship is contested over nine races from March to November including a race at the Spa Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. The first race is a three hour endurance race at Silverstone next weekend, Saturday 26 March 2011, starting at 3.00pm.

This is the fourth time that Mazda has entered Britcar and this year the Mazda MX-5 GT car will be driven by two Mazda works drivers including experienced Mazda racing driver Mark Ticehurst, 39 from Hassocks, West Sussex and Auto Express journalist and racing driver Owen Mildenhall.

"The MX-5 production race car's modest power output, bullet proof reliability and nimble handling demonstrated last year how the MX-5 can be competitive against some of the purpose-built Lotus, VW and BMW race cars. With a higher power output combined with the durability, reliability and handling attributes that the MX-5 is renowned for; the MX-5 GT race car will be strong contender against the more powerful race cars in its class," comments Graeme Fudge, PR Director, Mazda UK.

The Mazda MX-5 GT car, prepared by Tunbridge Wells-based Jota Sport features the mandatory FIA approved safety equipment including a roll cage, race seats and harness, external electric cut-off and fire extinguisher, safety catches on the bonnet and boot lids, competition steering wheel and alloy wheels, while the running gear, rear axle, gearbox and engine have been modified to enhance performance.